Washington (CNN) - The national trauma inflicted by the massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School prompted an emotional and fierce debate on gun control, but the drive this spring for stricter limits led by President Barack Obama fell short in Washington.

By summer, the issue had mostly faded on the political stage. It was replaced by troubling disclosures around national security leaks and U.S. surveillance, violent political turmoil in Egypt, alleged chemical weapons use in Syria, and another looming federal budget showdown.

(CNN) – In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, former President Bill Clinton stood by the Obama administration's pursuit of a deal with Russia for Syria to hand over its chemical weapons.

On a separate topic, Clinton called Larry Summers "a friend" but did not directly answer whether he should have removed his name Sunday from consideration for the chairmanship of the Federal Reserve.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - The number two House Democrat believes the deadly shooting at the Washington Navy Yard will renew the debate over gun control, but admitted that outside groups opposed to any new restrictions make it unlikely that Congress will enact any new laws.

"If the past is prologue that prologue is not very helpful," House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, referencing failed attempts on Capitol Hill to pass new gun laws after previous mass shootings, told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - With guns back in the national spotlight after a mass shooting at Washington's Navy Yard, Texas Gov. Rick Perry will tour Maryland's largest gun manufacturer on Wednesday as part of his ongoing effort to lure businesses to his home state.

A Perry aide told CNN that the Republican governor will tour the Beretta USA facility in Accokeek, Maryland, just over the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.FULL POST

(CNN) - It has been called the most popular rifle in America, and it briefly returned to the spotlight after Monday's shooting at the Navy Yard: the AR-15.

A U.S. law enforcement official said Monday that gunman Aaron Alexis unleashed a barrage of bullets using an AR-15, a rifle and a semi-automatic handgun. Authorities believed the AR-15 was used for most of the shooting, the official said. The news prompted Sen. Dianne Feinstein, one of the strongest proponents of a ban on assault weapons like the AR-15, to issue a statement the same day asking, "When will enough be enough?"

Washington (CNN) - A government audit on Navy security found that the Navy Yard and other installations may have increased security risks in an effort to reduce costs, a federal source told CNN.

"Navy installations command attempted to reduce access control costs," according to a soon-to-be-released report from the Department of Defense Inspector General. The source read CNN portions of the report. "As a result, at least 52 convicted felons received routine unauthorized installation access, placing military personnel at increased security risk."